NFL: Rafael De Los Santos (ex-Real Madrid) named country manager in Spain ahead of game in Madrid (16/11)

Spain's Rafael De Los Santos has been appointed country manager of the NFL in Spain, announced the National Football League on 01/10/2025.

The appointment comes a month and a half before the first NFL regular season game to be played in Spain, when the Washington Commanders take on the Miami Dolphins at Real Madrid CF's (LALIGA EA Sports) Bernabéu (84,744 capacity) on 16/11/2025 (game start at 15:30 CET).

Rafael De Los Santos previously held the positions of business development manager at Microsoft (from 2005 to 2010), new media director at Real Madrid (from 2012 to 2019) and chief revenue officer at FC Girondins de Bordeaux (from 2019 to 2022).

"De Los Santos will be responsible for leading the league's business and expansion across Spain in this newly created role. As part of its larger international expansion strategy and its commitment to Spain, the NFL also intends to open an office in Madrid under De Los Santos’ leadership," explained the league. The Spaniard will report to Henry Hodgson, the NFL's regional general manager for the UK, Ireland and Spain.